4) Theories of romantic relationships: social exchange theory

What’s the social exchange theory?

Thibault and Kelly (1959) assumption is that it’s based on a form of exchange. We maximise rewards of the relationships whilst minimising the costs. Both partners try to give minimal costs in order to gain enough rewards to make the relationship profitable

What is the minimax principle?

People try to gain the most rewards and minimise costs

What’s comparison levels?

We have a certain comparison level that we judge all our relationships against. It’s based on expectations from previous relationships. if the profit from a new relationship is deemed to be above the comparison level, then the relationship is thought to be worthwhile

What comparison levels for alternatives?

Where dissatisfaction occurs people will create a comparison level for alternative relationships

What are the three stages of relationship development?

Sampling, bargaining, commitment, institutionalisation

What is sampling?

Experimenting with the costs and rewards of social exchange in our relationships/observations of other relationships

What is bargaining?

Partners exchange various rewards and costs, they identify and negotiate which is most profitable

What is commitment?

Costs and rewards become predictable and costs reduce and rewards increase due to relationship stability

What’s institutionalisation?

Partners are now settled due to the norms of relationship being firmly established

Why may the social exchange theory be reductionist?

because it explains relationships mainly through rewards, costs and comparisons. Romantic relationships are complex and may involve love, attachment, commitment and moral obligations, which cannot always be explained through a cost–benefit calculation. This reduces the validity of SET as a complete explanation of romantic relationships.

contradictory finding- Joel et al (2020)

Joel et al (2020) conducted a meta-analysis of 43 longitudinal couples datasets found relationship-specific factors (e.g. commitment and satisfaction) were the strongest predictors of relationship quality.

Why is there methodical difficulties with measuring benefits and cost in SET

Point: Rewards and costs are subjective, making SET difficult to test objectively.

Explain: For example, one person may view spending time together as rewarding, whereas another may see it as restrictive. Researchers may struggle to measure these perceptions consistently.

Link: This limits the theory's scientific credibility because findings may depend on how rewards and costs are defined and measured.

why may SET lack validity?

alternative theories such as equity explains why people stay in abusive relationships.